Earwigs in Cleveland
The name of the earwig is based on the superstition that they crawl into the ears of sleeping people. While they prefer dark, moist places to live, the human ear is not a select choice for the insect. Earwigs spend most of their day hiding and then come out to feed on plants and insects at night. They are most common in the southern and southwestern United States. Earwigs may enter homes to escape from weather conditions that are too hot, dry, or cold. During the winter, they will usually hibernate.
Earwig Habitat
Earwigs have a vast diet of animal and plant matter. They will eat flowers, fruits, leaves, and fungi, as well as aphids and flies. They will capture these insects using their pincer-like cerci. During the day, they hide under rocks, boards, logs, or dense weeds. Outside the home, they hide in high-moisture areas, such as swimming pool areas, under potted plants, in leaf litter, or in flower bed mulch. In a house, they usually live in kitchens and bathrooms or the flaps of cardboard boxes.
Earwig Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
While earwigs cannot bite or spread disease, they are capable of pinching. A pinch from an earwig may hurt, but it is unlikely it will break the skin. In general, they are considered a nuisance pest in the spring and summer. They have been known to chew holes in flowers or leaves, but this is the extent of their damage. Typically, earwigs enter a home via cracks on siding and foundations, but they also will come in on items such as firewood, potted plants, or cardboard boxes.
If you are dealing with excess earwigs on your property, contact a local pest control professional.
